Ostachism

Oft called the Old Faith or the Cult of the Old Faith, Ostachism is a sect of the Host Keeping Faith that idolizes the Hosts as inhuman beings with inscrutable motivations. Politically, the most important aspect of Ostachism is its rejection of the divinity of the King of Hosts. Most Ostachists still recognize the earthly authority of the High King, but this rejection of his divinity has been used to justify numerous rebellions over the centuries, especially from the Terminallian Kingdom in eastern Monos.

Mythology & Lore

In the beginning, there was only an unknown reality called the First World. Soter, called the Gardener (a Host found only in the Ostachist faith), created a realm called the Sheshen, or simply the Garden. Soter tended the Garden for her own enjoyment, and its beauty was without parallel, as the First World was largely without form. Yet in time, the beauty of the Garden drew the attention of formless beings that wanted to live in the garden. Soter refused them, but in time they joined and forced themselves inside. There were fifty invaders, and Soter managed to destroy or eject thirty-five of them. The fifteen survivors tore Soter asunder, but before they could enjoy the Garden, the First World was itself ripped in half. The whole of reality was syphoned into the two halves of Soter, which transformed into the World of Life and the World of Death. Two of the invaders were drawn into the World of Life, while the rest were drawn into the World of Death.
The Thirteen spoke only in magic, and their words were the First Song that brought life to the World of Death. However, when they entered the World of Death, they brought the Waters of Death with them, and any who taste of the Waters of Death are forbidden from ever entering the World of Life. Feeling responsible for their own creations, the Thirteen nominated themselves their shepherds, hosts of the World of Death, helping to guide them all into the World of Life. Although they cannot yet reach the World of Life, the Hosts are believed to be able to reach a liminal space between the two worlds. This liminal space is the Heavens, making the afterlife a realm wherein we might dedicate our time into trying to reach the World of Life.
An interesting aspect of this creation myth is thirteen, rather than twelve, hosts. The modern Host Keeping Faith generally celebrates twelve High Hosts, who are more powerful or more significant than all the others. Ostachists typically mention the same twelve High Hosts. Who then, is this thirteenth Host?

Type

Religious, Sect

Demonym

Ostachists

Parent Organization

Host Keeping Faith

Deities

• Alba, the Child of Light and Host of Gates
• Beithiach, Host of Foisons
• Belladol, the Host of War
• Esakr, the Host of Magic
• Fairess, Host of Fires
• Gleirea, Host of Horns
• Hanwyth the Hostly
• Inneria, Host of Forgetting
• Katriss, Host of Hearth and Home
• Lolliseri, Host of Pilgrims
• Meliza, Host of Twins
• Penellea, Host of the Hunt
• Rhennes, Host of Valor
• Salath, the Guiding Host
• Tulin, Host of Seeds
• Ulthran, Host of Waters
• Verissian, Host of Scales
• Wilminar, Host of Venoms